The Baker Families of Clark County, Ohio

A. A. BAKER, physician and surgeon, Springfield. Dr. Baker is a lifetime resident of Clark County, and for many years has been a noted physician and surgeon in the locality in which he has done business. As one of our prominent men, then, he is deserving of a place in the history of the county. He was born in 1831, near Enon, and, during his boyhood, received an excellent education; his parents, Ezra D. and Anne (Morgan) Baker, reared four children, —Cassandra, Leander, Gustavius and our subject. In 1845, Dr. Baker commenced the study of medicine under Dr. J. J. McElhinney, of Dayton; in 1846 and 1847, he attended medical lectures at Starling College, Ohio, since which time he has practiced his profession in this and Champaign Counties. His marriage to Miss Maggie Miller was celebrated in 1845; she isof the old Shellabarger stock that have ever been noted in the history of this and Champaign Counties; their children are four in number—Annetta M., Elizabeth A., Scipio E. and Nellie B.; the eldest daughter, Annetta, is the wife of Dr. E. Myers, who is now & partner of his father-in-law. In 1870, Dr. Baker graduated at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, although a highly reputable and educated physician, but wishing a diploma from one of the oldest schools in the West, and that the efficient instruction imparted at that institution would be of benefit to him, besides the release from business cares, determined him in this matter. Wishing to engage in a city practice, he came to Springfield in 1880 and associated in business with Dr. Myers, still being near enough his old patrons, who are loth to give him up. During the war, he was appointed Surgeon of the 53d O. N. G., but was forced to resign on account of disability. The Doctor is one of those genial men who will surely merit the confidence of the citizens of Springfield, and he already possesses this of numerous patrons in his former place of residence. His father is now the oldest living settler of Madison Township, and was County Commissioner four terms, besides being actively engaged in the county’s business enterprises for many years. His mother died in 1867 at the age of 63 years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALONZO ADDISON BAKER, M. D., who was formerly in active practice as a physician and surgeon in Clark County, located in Springfield in 1880 and there resided until his death February 5, 1895. He was born in 1831 on his father's farm near Enon, Clark County, Ohio, his parents being Ezra D. and Anne (Morgan) Baker. TJie Baker family has long been one of prominence in Clark County. Ezra Baker, father of the late Dr. Baker, attained a very advanced age, at the time of his death being the oldest living settler of Madison Township. He served four terms as county commissioner of Clark County and during almost all of his active life was a man of public affairs. He survived his wife many years, her death taking place in 1867. They had four children, namely: Cassandra, Leander, Gustavus and Alonzo A.

Alonzo A. Baker entered upon the study of medicine in 1845 and during the two following years attended medical lectures at Starling College, Subsequently lie was gi'adiiated from the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. Dr. Baker married, and he and his wife became the parents of four children, namely: Annetta M., wife of Dr. E. Myers; Elizabeth A., wife of Edgar N. Lupfer; Scipio E., and Nellie B., deceased. Scipio E. Baker is now one of Spring-field's leading manufacturers. He is president and treasurer of the Champion Chemical Company, and president of the Foos Gas Engine Company. He owns a beautiful home at the northeast corner of High and Sycamore Streets.

Dr. Baker became interested in several large business enterprises, among which we may mention The Champion Chemical Co. and The Springfield Metallic Casket Co., he having been one of the original organizers of both.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

SCIPTO EUGENE BAKER, president and general manager of the Foos Gas Engine Company, of Springfield, Ohio, the largest and most important plant in the United States for the exclusive manufacturing of Internal Combustion Engines, has been a resident of Springfield since 1876 and is one of the most prominent citizens and leading business men of the city. He was born June 12, 1860, in Donnelsville, Clark County, Ohio, a son of Dr. A. A. Baker, a native of Enon, and one of the leading pioneer physicians of this county. Ezra D. Baker, grandfather, came from New Jersey in 1805, and laid out the village of Enon, Clark County.

Scipio E. Baker was reared and received his primary education in this county, later graduating, in 1881, from Wittenberg College, after which he engaged in the newspaper business and read law in Judge Mower's office for some time. He then formed a partnership with his father and D. E. Hosterman and established the Springfield Metallic Casket Company, of which he was general manager until 1890. In 1887 Mr. Baker promoted and organized the Champion Chemical Company, of which he is president and principal stockholder. The company started with a very small capital and has grown to large proportions and is the largest and most important concern of its kind in this or any other country. One of the principal products of the Champion Chemical Company is the Baker Burglar Proof Metallic Grave Vault, an invention of Mr. Baker. In 1890 Mr. Baker became general manager and for fourteen years has been president of the Royal Salt Company, miners and shippers of rock salt, the mines being located in Central Kansas, where they have an output exceeding 100.000 tons annually. He is also director of the Western Salt Company, of St. Louis.

In 1897 Mr. Baker headed the corporation which purchased the plant of the Foos Gas Engine Company, a co-partnership consisting of John Foos and P. P. Mast, who sold out their entire interest and retired from the company, the new corporation retaining the old name, however. When Mr. Baker and partners assumed charge of the plant, the volume of business being done by the concern was very small, and not over a dozen men, including office and factory force, were employed. The Foos Gas Engine Company now has a world-wide reputation, employing several hundred men, and carry on an extensive foreign as well as domestic trade. Mr. Baker, who has been president and general manager of the corporation since its reorganization, has been largely instrumental in building up the plant from a small concern to the largest plant in the United States for the exclusive manufacturing of Internal Combustive Engines.

Mr. Baker was united in marriage June 25, 1895, to Jessie Foos, a daughter of John Foos, one of the pioneer manufacturers of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one daughter, Margaret. Mr. Baker is one of the foremost men of Springfield, enterprising and public-spirited, and is held in highest esteem by his fellow-men. Fraternally he is a Mason, having attained the degree of Knight Templar. Religiously he is affiliated with the High Street Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker reside in the elegant old Foos homestead, which is one of the finest residences in Springfield, and is situated on the comer of High and Sycamore Streets, having been purchased in July, 1904, from John Foos.

One of the principal products of The Champion Chemical Co. is the Baker Burglar Proof Metallic Grave Vault, an invention of Mr. Baker's.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Adam Baker, who carries on general farming and stock raising in German township, was born April 26, 1841, on the farm where he now lives. His parents, Adam and Susan (Klinefelter) Baker, were both natives of York county, Pennsylvania, where they were reared, educated and married, coming thence to Ohio in _1836. For a few months they conducted a hotel in Springfield and then the father purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, upon which our subject is now living. There was upon the place a mill and distillery, and he not only engaged in the cultivation of his land, but operated both the mill and the still for eight or ten years, when he sold them, giving his entire attention to farming and He lived to be about sixty-seven years of age, departing this life in 1863. In politics he was a Republican, and for a number of years he served as county commissioner,

In the family there were twelve children, of whom Adam is the eleventh in order of birth. These are as follows: George W., who died at the age of eighteen years; Sarah Ann, who died at the age of thirty; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Peter Ferree, and died in Clark county, leaving three children; William B., who married Huldah Baker and died in this county, leaving five children; Cornelius, of Springfield, who married Sarah Amick, by whom he had three children, and after her death wedded Mrs. Vorce; Joana, the wife of Alexander Baker, of Springfield, by whom she has two children; Elnora, who is living in_Springfield; and John W., who married Letitia Snyder, by whom he has two children, their home being in Topeka, Kansas.

Adam Baker, whose name this record, was reared on the home farm and in the public schools he acquired a fair

“English education. He received ample training at farm labor and when twenty-two years of age he began to provide for himself, start” ing out on his own account soon after his father's death. He carried on the home farm for his mother for some time, an estate then comprising eight hundred acres. Today Mr. Baker owns three hundred and twenty acres of that property, constituting one of the valuable and well improved farms in his locality. A glance at his place indicates to the passed-by that the owner is thrifty and enterprising and that he follows progressive methods and uses the latest improved machinery in the care ot his land. He also deals in stock, keeping on his place good grades of cattle, horses and hogs.

On the loth of October, 1869, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Wilson, who was born in Champaign county, January 2, 1846, a daughter of John and Sarah Ann (Swartz) Wilson. Her father introduces was also a native of Champaign county, Ohio, but her mother's birth occurred in Virginia. They were married in Champaign county and there continued to reside until 1854, when they removed to German township, Clark county, where they made their home throughout the remainder of their lives, both dying in 1893, when seventy-three years of age. Throughout his active business career Mr. Wilson was engaged in buying and selling stock. He was a Democrat in politics, and being one of the prominent men of his community, he was called upon to fill many local offices. In his family were nine children, four and five daughters.

In his political views Mr. Baker is a Republican, but he has never sought or desired office, though he has frequently served as a delegate to the conventions of his party. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Tremont and is a very prominent Mason. When about thirty years of age he became a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, F.& A. M., of Springfield, and has now attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory at Cincinnati and belongs to the Mystic Shrine at Dayton.

sons boo = EDWARD: BUCHWALTER.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ADAM BAKER, farmer; P. O. Eagle City; born on his present farm April 26, 1841; is a son of Adam and Susannah (Klinefelter) Baker, natives of York Co., Penn.; Adam and family became residents of Clark Co., Ohio, in 1836, remaining in Springfield about one year; then bought and located on the farm where our subject now lives; here he resided until his death. He died in April, 1863, aged 67 years. In 1869, his wife moved to Springfield, where she resided until her death; she died Aug. 7, 1879, aged 77 years. They were parents of twelve children, seven now survive— Elizabeth, Cornelius, William B., Elnora, Joanna, John W. and'Adam. Mr. Baker was an active, prominent man in this community; in connection with farming, he was quite an extensive dealer in stock, and became owner of about 800 acres of land along the Mad River bottoms; also bought the flouring-mills and distillery then located here, which he ran very successfully for about twenty years. He also held various offices of the township and county; was County Commissioner several years. Our subject remained with his father until his death. Was married, Oct. 10, 1869, to Amanda, daughter of John and Sarah Ann Wilson, he a native of Champaign Co., Ohio, and she of Virginia, Amanda being the third of nine children; five now survive: Malissa E., William M., Amanda E., Mary Susanna and Sarah Caroline. Mr. Baker has always resided upon the old home place, with the exception of fifteen months' residence with his father on the Hetzler property, below Springfield, when they returned to the old home farm. Mr. Baker now owns 323 acres of fine land, constituting three farms. The home place has now been in possession of the Baker family forty-four years. He has never sought or held office; he is, like his father was before him, a stanch Republican. Mr. Baker has been an active business man; a good financier; has a pleasant home, and is well situated to enjoy the comforts of life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

SAMUEL M. BAKER, farmer; P. O. Dalton; is the son of Martin and Elizabeth Baker, who were natives of Virginia and moved to Clark Co. about 1823 and purchased 53 acres of land, where he remained until his death July 20, 1854; Mrs. Baker survived him until March 6, 1870. They were both consistent members of the Reformed Church. Samuel M., the subject of this memoir, was born Dec. 10, 1830, and assisted his father until his (father's) death, after which he managed the farm until 1869, when he purchased the farm where he now resides. Sept. 26, 1871, he celebrated his marriage to Malinda, daughter of David and Elizabeth Jenkins; this union was blessed with four children— Viola G. and Sidney G. (twins), born June 22, 1872, and Asa M. and Charles O. (twins), born July 13, 1877. Mr. Baker has never been an aspirant for office, but has served his township in the office of Trustee with honor to himself and his constituents. On the breaking-out of the rebellion, he volunteered his services, enlisting in Co. I, 44th O. V. I., Sept. 12, 1861, serving his country until the close of the war, receiving his discharge on Aug. 9, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Reformed Church, Mr. Baker having been Sabbath-school Superintendent and teacher for over twenty years, and has been honored with the offices of Deacon and Elder in the church for a number ot years. They are surrounded with all the comforts of life, earned by the incessant toil of years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SIDNEY GRANT BAKER, who in partnership with his brother operates the Baker Brothers' general store of Dialton, is one of the leading business men of the village and was born June 22, 1872, on his father's farm in Pike Township, Clark County, Ohio. He is a son of Samuel and Melinda (Jenkins) Baker.

Samuel Baker was born December 10, 1830, near Lawrenceville, German Township, Clark County, Ohio, and when about six weeks old his father, Martin Baker, who came from Virginia at a very early period and located in German Township, Clark County, removed to near Dialton, where the remainder of his life was spent. Here Samuel followed threshing for a number of years, using a horse-power machine, and was also engaged in making tile for some years. He served four years in the army, enlisting in the Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and also in the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and participated in numerous important engagements, among them the battles of Gettysburg and Martin's Ferry. Samuel Baker was married September 26, 1871, to Melinda Jenkins, a native of German Township and a daughter of David and Elizabeth Jenkins, the former of whom died at the age of forty-six years, the latter living to the advanced age of eighty years. Four children were born to Samuel and Melinda Baker, namely: Viola (Mrs. Clinton Huffman), and Sidney Grant, who were twins; and Asa M. and Charles 0., who were also twins. Samuel Baker was always a very successful farmer and at the time of his death, which occurred September 26, 1903, was the owner of over 300 acres of fine farming land. He is survived by his widow.

Sidney Grant Baker was reared on his father's farm and received his educational training at the district schools of the township, later attending Nelson's Business College for two winters. On March 1, 1898, he purchased his present business from Baisinger and Smith and conducted it for one year, when he formed a partnership with his brother Asa M., and has since operated the business under the firm name of Baker Brothers. Baker Brothers ' general store is recognized as one of the leading business enterprises of the village of Dialton and enjoys an extensive patronage from the residents in this locality.

Mr. Sidney G. Baker was married September 26, 1900, to Olive 0. Overholtz, a daughter of Jonas and Laura (Hupp) Overholtz, who reside near Lawrenceville, German Township. Mrs. Baker has one sister, Lena, who married W. Circle. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have one child, Lucille Irene, born July 19, 1902.

Politically Mr. Baker is a Republican and has served a year as central committeeman. He and his wife are both members of the Reformed Church, of which he is a deacon, being also superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Mr. A. M. Baker was married February 17, 1904, to Mary E. Spence, daughter of G. A. and Mary Spence, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. Baker and wife have two children — Corene, born January 25, 1905, and [name withheld], born June 8, 1907.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN R. BAKER, farmer; P. O. Springfield. John R. Baker, son of Rudolph and Eve (Kiblinger) Baker, was born Aug. 27, 1807, in Shenandoah Co., Va.; in 1818, came with his parents from Virginia to Ohio, and to Clark County, and settled in German Township, where they lived the remainder of their lives; the father died in 1825, and the mother in 1845. John R. Baker was married, Nov. 1, 1832, to Sarah Miller, daughter of William C. and Mary M. Miller; Sarah was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., March 31, 1814, and came to Clark Co., Ohio, with her parents, in 1818, and settled near the Bakers, in German Township; her father departed this life in 1840, and her mother in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Baker are two worthy pioneers of this county; of their six children, but three are now living Ezra K., James T. and Mary M. William C., in 1862 (at the end of his third year in Wittenberg College), enlisted in the 94th O. V. I., and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga; after suffering the horrors and privations of Libby, Danville and Andersonville Prisons, he died in Andersonville Prison Sept. 22, 1864, one year from the time he was taken prisoner. Ezra graduated at Wittenberg College in 1870, and is now a Lutheran minister; Mary was married, Nov. 22. 1855. to David Cutshaw; in 1866, she was left a widow by the death of her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Baker remember well when they first settled in this county; they had to “blaze” the trees when they went to a neighbor's house, in order to find their way home again.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ANDREW JACKSON BAKER, general farmer and stock-raiser, resides on his well improved farm of eighty acres, lying about three miles northwest of Springfield, on the Valley Turnpike, was born on this farm March 3, 1833. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Flick) Baker.

Daniel Baker was born about 1800, in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, whence his father, Rudolph Baker removed to Clark County, settling about 1820 in German Township, where he died in 1823. Rudolph Baker had then scarcely begun to clear his farm from the forest, a task his sons subsequently completed. Daniel Baker succeeded to a part of the farm and there spent his life. He married Elizabeth Flick, who was born and reared near Lancaster, Fairfield County, Ohio.

Andrew J. Baker was thirteen years of age when his father died. He remained on the home farm until he was eighteen, when he went to Springfield, where he learned the carpenter's trade. For fifteen years he worked at his trade, but shortly after his marriage he returned to the home farm and resumed farming. He has the larger part of his land rented out. He made many improvements on the place after coming here and it ranks with the best improved farms of the township. In 1857 Mr. Baker was married to Margaret I. Jones, who is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Weaver) Jones. She was reared in Mad River Township, Champaign Comity, near the Clark County line. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have had three children: Dora, Effie and Minnie, the latter of whom died aged four months. Mr. Baker and family belong to St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes an active interest in the educational advancement of his community and for eight years has been a member of the school board.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EMANUEL BAKER, farmer; P. O. Tremont City; born in Clark Co. Feb. 1,1821; is a son of Martin and Eve (Friermood) Baker, natives of Virginia; the grandparents were also natives of Virginia, but became among the early settlers of Clark Co.; in fact, were among the real pioneers, locating here before the county was organized. Martin and Eve were in their childhood when their parents located in this county, consequently were mostly raised here; were here married, and lived and died in this county. He died July 1, 1831. They were parents of six children, five now surviving— Emanuel, Amos, Absalom, Louisa and Martin; deceased, Samuel. Our subject, the oldest child, was but 11 years of age when his father died; this left the mother with the care and responsibility of raising these young children, and that in a new country, where she had to labor under many disadvantages and deprivations; but, with a courage and fortitude which only a mother seems to possess, she, with the assistance of kind neighbors, succeeded in keeping her family together until they arrived at maturity. She died Feb. 9, 1860. Mr. Baker was married Nov. 14, 1844, to Drusilla, daughter of Solomon and Leah Foltz, natives of Virginia. By this union they have had two children, one only now surviving— Lydia; deceased, Andrew J. Mr. Baker has spent his entire life in Clark Co., and followed farming as an occupation; has been located upon the farm where he now resides since the spring of 1845, a period of thirty-five years. He has a farm of 50 acres, all in cultivation, with good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Baker has held the office of Township Trustee for two years.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

THOMAS BAKER, farmer; P. O. Eagle City; born in this county and township Aug. 4, 1820; is a son of John and Susannah (Nawman) Baker, natives of Virginia (for the Nawman family, see sketch of Samuel Nawman in this work). The grandfather, Henry Baker, was a native of Virginia, but became one of the early pioneers of Clark Co., and died here. John and Susannah were parents of eight children; five now survive—Thomas, Elizabeth, John, Cyrus and Susanna. They located about one mile north of Lawrenceville, where they lived until their death; she died some fifty years ago. He was again married, to Christiana Miller, by whom he had ten children; seven now living—Henry, Aaron, William H., George W., Catharine, Levi and Simon. He died over twenty years ago. Our subject made his home with his father until 28 years of age. Was married, in 1849, to Lydia, daughter of John and Margaret Hause, natives of Pennsylvania. Issue, six children; three now survive —Harmon H., Emanuel A. and Cyrus W. Mr. Baker, after his marriage, located upon the farm where he now resides, and has made a continued residence of thirty-one years. His farm consists of 36 acres of fine bottom land in the Mad River Valley, ues of which is in good cultivation, and constitutes him a very pleasant home and residence.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SILAS BAKER, a well known resident of the pleasant village of Lawrenceville, and the owner of 103 acres of valuable farming land in Uerman Township, was born in Clark County, Ohio, on land he still owns, February 16, 1824. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Nawman) Baker.

Samuel Baker was born in Virginia and in young manhood, in 1811, came to Springfield, Ohio, and participated in the War of 1812. He was a blacksmith by trade and after he returned to civil life he built a shop in the woods, in German Township, Clark County, where he had acquired a small farm. He married Mary Nawman, who had accompanied her parents to German Township from Virginia, and they lived out their quiet, useful lives on their farm in this township. Samuel Baker died at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife at that of seventy-nine.

Silas Baker grew to manhood on the home farm, attending the district schools for three months during the winter seasons in his boyhood, but from youth assisting in the duties pertaining to the raising of stock and cultivating 'the land. For many years he gave his whole attention to his farming interests and has owned his present property since the death of his parents. In the spring of 1906 he bought his comfortable cottage in Lawrenceville, where he and wife are passing their declining years.

In 1849 Mr. Baker was married to Elizabeth Friermood, who was born in German Township, a daughter of Reuben Friermood, who came to Clark County from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have four children living, four others being deceased. The former are: Alice, who is the widow of Harry Ryman; William Wesley, who is in the optical business at Troy, Ohio; Emory, who resides at Springfield: and Martha Ellen, who married Thomas B. Ream, a leading grocery merchant at Springfield. Politically Mr. Baker is a Democrat. During his residence in the county he sei'ved fourteen successive years as clerk of German Township and frequently as township trustee.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSEPH BAKER, farmer; P. O. Enon. Joseph Baker is the son of Melyn and Mary Baker, both natives of New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio about the year 1800, stopping in Cincinnati one year, then removing to Clark County, where they remained till their death. Mrs. Baker lived to an advanced age, and recounted the following incident of her early life only a short time before her death: During the war of 1812, our troops were being concentrated for the battle of the Thames; that noted Kentuckian, Col. Richard Johnson, in command of a force of United States troops, stopped at the house of her father, and requested her to furnish himself and staff with supper, lodging and breakfast. Her parents being absent from home, she, a girl of 16, provided for their wants so acceptably that on his return, wounded, from the battle where history gives him the credit of killing that noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, they again stopped at her father's house for entertainment. Joseph Baker was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Sept. 12, 1830, and was educated in the common schools of his native place. At the age of 14, he started for himself farming, in which pursuit he has continued to the present time. He married, Nov. 1, 1855, Miss Elizabeth King, of Clark County. They are the parents of four children, viz.: Mary, Tillie, Joettaand Maud. Joetta died Oct. 9, 1872. He purchased a portion of the old homestead, containing 983 acres, which is in a high state of cultivation, and he is in every way prepared to enjoy the comforts of life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MOSES BAKER, farmer; P. O. Enon. Mr. Baker is the son of Jonathan and Sarah Baker, who were natives of New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio in 1802, locating in Butler County, where they remained three years, when they removed to Clark County, residing there until their death. Our subject was born in Clark County Aag. 8, 1809, just twenty-nine years after Clarke's battle with the Indians. The country at that time was still a wilderness, abounding with wild animals, and Indians roamed the forests of the frontier county as it was called. Great labor was required to clear up the land in those days, and young Baker assisted his father in this work, in the meantime receiving such education as was afforded in the log schoolhouses of the day. At the age of 18, Mr. Baker started in business for himself, learning the mason trade, which business he followed until 1836. He then purchased a farm of 108 acres in Mad River Township. He married Miss Mary Davis the same year. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are now living. Mrs. Baker departed this life in the year 1865. Mr. Baker married again to Mrs. Cenith Leggett, who died in 1867. He now resides with his daughter, and is now, as he has been for many years, an earnest worker in the cause of Christ.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB BAKER, a prominent citizen and general farmer, owning seventy-five acres of valuable land in Mad River Township, was born November 11, 1833, in Maryland, and is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Der) (Youtsey) Baker.

Mr. Baker's paternal ancestors came from Germany and a record is preserved in an old German Bible in the family, which shows that Courod Baker, his grandfather, held high rank. The record does not further tell why Conrod and his two brothers left their native land and came to America, but the cause was probably either of a religious or political character. Two of the three brothers settled in Virginia, and all trace of them have been lost by the Ohio Bakers. Conrod Baker established himself in Maryland and acquired much land in the neighborhood of Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland. He reared several children, but they did not survive him, and his last days were spent with his daughter-in-law, the widow of his son, Jacob.

Jacob Baker was reared on his father 's estate, and he, too, became a large farmer. He married Mrs. Hannah (Der) Youtsey, a widow, who was born near Middletown, Maryland. No children were born to her first marriage, and the five born to her second union were: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Armstead T. M. Alexander, lives on the old homestead in Maryland; Susan, who married T. B. Wiles, is deceased; Catherine, who died young; Philip, who was married (first) to Mary Smith, and (second) to a Miss Donovan; and Jacob, who was born four months after the death of his father. The latter had served as a soldier in the War of 1812.

Jacob Baker remained with his mother through childhood, youth and early manhood, and continued to live in Maryland for eleven years after his own marriage. His wife, Rachel Minnich, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and at the time of marriage she was earning fifty cents a week and his wages were nine dollars a mouth. They left Maryland in October, 1864, and after reaching Clark County, Ohio, lived for six months near Snyder's Mill, west of Springfield, from which place they moved to Woodington, Darke County. It was while living there that Mr. Baker learned of the death of his beloved mother, in her home in Maryland, at the age of sixty-nine years. From Darke County, Mr. Baker came to his present farm, which he bought of John Peterson. It was not in very good condition and Mr. Baker subsequently tore down all of the old buildings and replaced them with substantial ones. His farm is now bounded on one side by the Eebert turnpike road, two miles of which Mr. Baker built and hauled the first load of stone over it for the building of the courthouse at Springfield, three miles distant. Mr. Baker continues to carry on general farming on his land and has it carefully cultivated.

Mr. and Mrs. Baker have five children, namely: Harlin C, Charles M. F., Isaiah S., Mary Elizabeth, and Anna L. Harlin C. Baker was born in January, 1855, married Julia Webber and lives at Cleveland. Charles M. P. was born in 1856. He manager his father's farm. He married Alice Dudley and they have one child, Stanley H. Isaiah S. was born in 1858, and resides in Champaign County, Ohio. He married Emma Esterline and they have ten children, namely: Elizabeth, who has always lived with her grandparents; Charles, Luther, Helen, Mary, Nellie, William, Julia, Teddy, and an infant son. Mary Elizabeth Baker married George Sultzbach, and they live north of Springfield. They have four children: Walter,

Harry, Benjamin and Dorothy H. Anna. L. Baker married Judge L. F. Young, of Springfield. Mr. Baker and family belong to the Lutheran Church, of which he has been a member for the past fifty-four years. Politically, he has long been a stanch Republican, but he has never consented to serve in any office except that of school director. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CORNELIUS BAKER, ex-Sheriff, Springfield. He was born in York Co., Penn., Sept. 28, 1823; came to Clark Co., Ohio, in 1836, and settled in Springfield, where he sold goods until 1852; he then moved to the country and carried on farming for several years; during the war of the rebellion, he was appointed Enrolling Officer for German Township, and was Revenue Assessor six years. In 1872, he was elected Sheriff of Clark County, and served in said office four years, being re-elected in 1874. Mr. Baker is noted for his generosity and acts of kindness; he performed the duties of his official positions to the satisfaction of all, coming out of office without a stain upon his character.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.